Tradition and Quality in
Li Lao Store

SINCE 1995

Our Journey

Due to a difficult economic situation before World War I, don Manuel Li Achío's father, Manuel Li Chang, moved from China to Costa Rica to work as a laborer and send money to his family in China. However, during World War I, the financial aid Manuel sent was not received by the family. For this reason, Manuel Li Achío decided to move to Costa Rica to work and start a new life in the country.

In 1929, at the location where Almacén Li Lao S.A. is currently located, Manuel Li Achío and Herminia Lao Jez rented a space and opened a small canteen. Gradually, they diversified their products and became a supplier. With the funds collected, in 1953 they acquired the land and built the first concrete building in the canton of Santa Cruz, which would become Bazar Herminia. In 1971, the business was inherited by Luis Li Lao, and the commercial name changed to Tienda Luis Li Lao, where, together with Teresa Ng, they sold everything from uniforms and school supplies to household appliances.

In February 1993, a misfortune occurred, and one of the largest fires in Santa Cruz's history destroyed the physical structure of Tienda Luis Li Lao. Due to the trust that Don Manuel and Luis had accumulated from the community, and with the knowledge in Business Administration that Alexis Li Ng had acquired at the Costa Rican Institute of Technology, they decided to found Almacén Luis Li Lao, a company dedicated to the sale and financing primarily of home appliances. In 1999, the trade name changed to Almacén Li Lao S.A., where today it continues to offer the Guanacaste market sales and financing services, staying abreast of market trends and always seeking to provide customers with excellent service.